This was the core of the Dead Star Domain, constituted by eighty-one colossal life-stars, upon which resided all the high-tier races of the Dead Star Domain: the Human Race, the Demon Race, the Three-Eyed Race, the Bone Race, the Wood Race, the Feather Race, the Charm Race, and other strange species, including the ancient forms of life.

The Star Abyss sat at the center of the Dead Star Domain, making it the most prosperous location. On each of the eighty-one life-stars, masters from every race mingled, their numerous factions entangled in a complex, chaotic web.

Generally, any Celestial Master expert within the Dead Star Domain who reached a bottleneck in their cultivation would venture to the Star Abyss to try their luck, hoping to find the opportunity for a breakthrough amidst the celestial bodies.

This was because the Star Abyss held various rare cosmic resources that existed before the Great Calamity. With sufficient cultivation, one could potentially do as they pleased. The major races and factions would scramble to enlist support, utilizing these resources to aid Celestial Masters stuck at a bottleneck in potentially breaking through to the next realm.

The Star Abyss gathered the powerhouses of the Dead Star Domain’s major races; it could be said to be the place with the highest concentration of experts. Masters of the Ruyi and Tong Shen realms were not uncommon here, and even several ancient titans who had supposedly reached the legendary Chaos Realm lay dormant within the Star Abyss.

Of course, these Chaos Realm old monsters rarely emerged unless a catastrophic event befell their life-star; otherwise, one might not see such figures for millennia. Night Moon Star—this was one of the eighty-one life-stars of the Star Abyss, controlled entirely by the Three-Eyed Race.

On this day, a man and a woman descended upon Night Moon Star. The man appeared entirely composed, a faint smile perpetually gracing his lips. The woman was exquisitely beautiful, possessing an ethereal quality like a blooming lotus. Hand in hand, they drifted down from the brilliant night sky of Night Moon Star, alighting upon a solitary peak on the surface. Because no Sun Star existed nearby, Night Moon Star knew no daylight; it remained perpetually night, with a crescent moon hanging eternally in the void, casting a cold, clear radiance.

Under the moonlight, the peaks below Night Moon Star stood erect like sharpened needles, countless mountains piercing the sky, resembling hundreds of sharp spikes. Perhaps due to this striking geography, the area was dubbed the Thousand Needle Peaks. Behind every peak lay strange beasts and rare flora, and every summit hosted skilled Celestial Masters, though most sequestered themselves within the mountain bellies, rarely making an appearance.

"Chang Kong, the scenery here is truly beautiful," Shang Bingjie said, standing atop the peak, gazing across the straight mountains shrouded in mist. Her expression was calm, yet a trace of intoxication shimmered in her eyes.

"Indeed. Night Moon Star within the Star Abyss possesses a uniquely distinct landscape. Heh, of course, I've only heard others speak of it; I’ve never actually been to the Star Abyss before," Ji Chang Kong replied, smiling softly as he asked, "How does it feel?"

"It's quite nice. The views are excellent, and the lack of a sun suits me better, I think," Shang Bingjie nodded. "I've already reached the bottleneck of the Nie Jing realm. Perhaps I can advance further here."

"Good. We are going to meet a friend; he happens to be on Night Moon Star."

"Alright."

Taking Shang Bingjie’s delicate hand, Ji Chang Kong led her forward slowly through the deep night, speeding toward the tallest peak among the Thousand Needle Peaks.

This central peak towered into the clouds, its summit perpetually wreathed in swirling mist. A ring of visually discernible silver ripples radiated outward from the summit, emanating a faint aura of repulsion—a clear warning against any rash intrusion. This particular mountain was evidently occupied by a powerhouse who considered the peak his private domain, allowing no outsiders.

Arriving at the periphery of the peak with Shang Bingjie, Ji Chang Kong did not press inward. Instead, he closed his eyes and used his divine sense to probe, reaching out with his consciousness to the occupant within the mountain. Soon after, a voice filled with astonishment echoed from inside the peak: "Benefactor, is that you?"

"Leo!" Ji Chang Kong nodded with a smile and called out, "It is I. Open the outer restriction, will you?"

Leo of the Three-Eyed Race suddenly manifested at the summit, his face a mask of shock. With a sweeping gesture, he seemed to forcibly tear away the tangible silver ripples. Leo roared with laughter, "It really is you?!"

Ji Chang Kong landed on the summit with Shang Bingjie in tow. He spared Leo but a single glance before remarking, "Congratulations." Leo had already achieved the Ruyi realm.

"Thank you! Truly, thank you so much!" Leo’s face was etched with sincerity, and he bowed deeply toward Ji Chang Kong. "If it weren't for the gift you bestowed upon me in the Nine-Story Pagoda back then, I would never have reached this level! I never imagined we would meet again. How have you been all these years?"

"I am very well."

"Huh?" Leo gasped, staring at Ji Chang Kong strangely. The third eye in the center of his forehead twitched, then snapped open, projecting a peculiar silver light that scanned Ji Chang Kong. Leo’s pupils dilated sharply, and he stammered, "Heavens! You… you haven't… you've already reached the…?"

"Heh, my luck has always been excellent; you know that," Ji Chang Kong responded with a gentle smile, aware that Leo had perceived his true cultivation. Tong Shen Realm!

"The Tong Shen Realm! That’s impossible!" Leo exclaimed repeatedly. "I thought my own progress was lightning fast; my sudden leaps forward have only increased my status within the tribe, and I’ve been quite pleased with myself. But to think you’ve actually entered the Tong Shen Realm—this is astonishing." Ji Chang Kong simply smiled without answering.

After a while, once Leo’s emotions settled, he said, "Leo, I have come to the Star Abyss with a matter I need your assistance with."

"No problem!" Leo agreed immediately without asking what it was, then added, "Whatever it is, I will do my utmost to help you achieve it. Heh heh, Night Moon Star is within our Three-Eyed Race's sphere of influence. In fact, the current master of Night Moon Star is my uncle! Rest assured, I, Leo, carry some weight here on Night Moon Star!" He certainly is loyal, Ji Chang Kong thought, satisfied. He hadn't helped Leo in vain back then; the man had agreed wholeheartedly without even knowing the request, proving his genuine sincerity.

"She requires a cold place to cultivate. I heard there is a Cold Moon Pool on Night Moon Star; I wonder if you have a way for her to cultivate there for a time?" Ji Chang Kong asked frankly, without beating around the bush.

The Cold Moon Pool was an extremely peculiar location on Night Moon Star. It was said to have gathered the Cold Moon Light for millions of years; the pool water was intensely frigid, making it a treasure trove for those cultivating the profound meanings of ice and cold power. Since Night Moon Star was controlled by the Three-Eyed Race, a place of such specific benefit as the Cold Moon Pool would undoubtedly be under their stewardship. Ji Chang Kong brought Shang Bingjie here precisely because he knew of the Cold Moon Pool's unique properties. Learning that Leo was also on Night Moon Star made him even more pleased; knowing Leo’s status, he hoped Leo might be able to secure access.

"Absolutely no problem," Leo laughed heartily. "The Cold Moon Pool is a forbidden zone for our Three-Eyed Race; we generally don't open it to any outsiders. But since you found me, that's not an issue! Rest assured, I will arrange everything properly and ensure your wife is satisfied!"

"Thank you." A weight lifted from Ji Chang Kong’s heart. After a moment's hesitation, he added, "There is one other matter."

"Just say it!" Leo boomed generously.

"Two of my relatives may arrive in the Dead Star Domain soon. Judging by their trajectory, they should first reach the Snow Cloud Star in the Dead Star Domain, which, coincidentally, is also within your Three-Eyed Race’s territory. My two relatives only possess the cultivation of the Ru Wei realm; their strength is quite meager, but they are extremely important to me…" He let the statement trail off.

Leo understood immediately and thumped his chest again, guaranteeing, "Leave it to me! Tell me their names and distinguishing features, and I will command my people to look after them well and bring them from Snow Cloud Star to the Star Abyss—heh heh, Night Moon Star is part of the Star Abyss; this is the liveliest place!" Only then did Ji Chang Kong truly relax.

He had sensed the whereabouts of Li Hentian and Gu Dan long ago. With his Tong Shen Realm cultivation, locating the two was easy. Based on their flight path, he was certain the first star in the Dead Star Domain they would reach was Snow Cloud Star. He had other matters requiring his attention and couldn't go to greet them personally, so he had to rely on someone trustworthy.

Given his standing within the Purgatorial Ghost Race, he could request aid from them or ask other clans within the Blood Race for assistance. However, he knew the Purgatorial Ghost Race and the Blood Race had unsavory reputations. He preferred that Gu and Li Hentian avoid any deep entanglement with the Blood Race to prevent unforeseen troubles in the future. If the Purgatorial Ghost Race fell, the Blood Race would suffer alongside them. He didn't want his companions to share his misfortune, so he was unwilling to ask anyone from the Blood Race or Purgatorial Ghost Race for favors, whether it was Shang Bingjie, Gu, or Li Hentian.

"Be careful in everything," Shang Bingjie squeezed his hand, her eyes soft as flowing water.

"I will," Ji Chang Kong replied with a smile. He then looked at Leo, "I apologize for the trouble. Before I leave, I must state my identity: my name is Ji Chang Kong."

Leo’s expression tightened. After a long moment of stunned silence, he managed a wry smile, "So it is you. You’ve become quite famous in the Dead Star Domain lately."

"Will it cause you any trouble?"

"No issue," Leo shook his head. "Just be mindful when seeking me out in the future; it's best if nobody knows. Heh heh, I am a candidate for the next Patriarch of the Three-Eyed Race, so even if they knew, it wouldn't matter much. Still, avoiding trouble is always better."

"I understand. Thank you for your help. If you ever need anything, don't be polite with me," Ji Chang Kong smiled.

"I will. You saved my life, and everything I have today is thanks to you. I am a man who never lets a grievance go unaddressed, but I also know that a drop of kindness deserves a gushing spring in return. Rest assured, I will handle the two matters you entrusted to me securely," Leo stated gravely.

After chatting with Leo for another period, Ji Chang Kong stayed on Night Moon Star for three days before quietly departing, plunging back into the dark depths of the starry river.